Need to brush up on your fair vocabulary before this year's fair? Look no further, we've got you covered here!
General Fair Terminology
County Fair: a celebration of the county's best agricultural products, livestock, artwork, and entertainment!
Exhibitor: A person who enters displays or items into the Fair.
Fair Board: The fair board is the governing body responsible for the planning, management, and oversight of a fair. Comprised of volunteers, our board works year-round to ensure we have a successful fair each year!
Superintendent: A person who organizes and manages a project, display area or contest. Superintendents are volunteers with experience and a passion for that project area.
Herdsmanship: The responsibility of the exhibitor to take care of their exhibit and the exhibit area.
Open Class: Open Class is open to anyone! Divided into Youth and Adult categories.
Exhibitor Guide: Publication that lists the opportunities to participate in the Fair.
Premiums: Most Fair entries are eligible to receive premium payments based on their award level. Each exhibitor that enters premium classes will receive a payment or "premium" based on their point total.
Still Life Exhibits: These are project or exhibit areas that do not involve an animal. Arts and photography in the Exhibit Hall are good examples of still-life exhibits.
Midway: A midway at a fair is where you'll find all of the carnival games, rides, Main Stage, and food vendors. You can find our midway on the south side of the Livestock Barn!
Grandstands: Our Grandstands overlook the horse arena right outside the east end of the Horse Barn. You can watch all of the horse shows and our Opening Ceremony (Wednesday at noon) from the Grandstands!
Agriculture & 4-H:
4-H: 4-H is one of the Nation's largest youth organizations focused on helping young people develop skills in areas such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and community service. The name "4-H" represents the four core values: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.
Vet Check: All animals for exhibit must pass an on-site veterinary inspection prior to being allowed into the barns.
Cloverbud: 4-H members ages 5 to 7 as of October 1st
Junior: 4-H members ages 8 to 10 as of October 1st.
Intermediate: 4-H members ages 11 to 13 as of October 1st.
Senior: 4-H members ages 14 to 18 as of October 1st.
Fitting & Showing: Fitting and Showing is a 2-in-1 competition in livestock and horse shows. The exhibitor is evaluated on their ability to prepare (fit) and present (show) their animal to its best advantage.
Round Robin: Reserve Champion and Grand Champion Showmen from each large animal species (Meat Goat, Dairy Goat, Sheep, Swine, Beef, and Horse) and small animal species (chicken, duck, turkey, rabbit, pack goat, and novelty goat) compete for Skamania County Fair Master Showman. The competitors take turns showing each animal species, including their own.
Public Demonstration: 4-H members provide a presentation based on their project knowledge. For example, a sheep exhibitor may demonstrate how they fit their lamb for show.